Scientists raise Mauna Loa Volcano alert

“The alert stage change at Mauna Loa reminds us that it’s an energetic volcano that may erupt once more sometime, so we must be ready”, mentioned HVO geologist Frank Trusdell in a press launch.

Mauna Loa volcano has been upgraded to an alert level of advisory following continuous summit unrest.

Seismic stations at various locations, including beneath Mauna Loa’s summit, upper Southwest Rift Zone, and west flank have recorded shallow, small-magnitude earthquakes which have varied, but overall remained above the long-term average. It could also mean an imminent eruption of Mauna Loa, but it is too soon to tell. However, Neal added that at this early stage, it could not be concluded exactly which possibility have more chances of occurring.

The scientists stressed that “progression toward an eruption is by no means certain, but the volcano is closely watched to track how the unrest develops”.

The current rate and pattern of ground deformation is similar to that measured during inflation of Mauna Loa in 2005, an episode of unrest that did not end in an eruption.

“An ADVISORY/YELLOW standing is asserted when a number of volcano monitoring parameters are above the background vary of exercise, which is the present state of affairs on Mauna Loa”, USGS wrote.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are closely monitoring recent signs of unrest on Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth.

Asta Miklius, a geophysicist from the HVO highlights that Mauna Loa has two reservoirs containing magma, and that recent activity in one has been enough to cause tremors. Together, these observations indicate that Mauna Loa is no longer at a background level of activity.

Mauna Loa was last at an ADVISORY/YELLOW in early 2010 following increased rates of ground deformation during the rapid inflation of the volcano in 2004-2005.

HVO scientists said that this increased activity could last for months or years and not lead to an eruption. Before this eruption, there was increased natural disaster activity for 3 years.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) explained that this does not mean an eruption is expected. “HVO is monitoring it, and if there is any change that we will alert the emergency managers and notify the public”.